How Opo’s Jonathan Pascual is adding a different twist to the coffee experience
While Opo Coffee was building its brick-and-mortar space, CEO Jonathan Pascual was running a weekly coffee cart on the sidewalk out front. One day, as Pascual was tending to some business, long-time former Mayor Bill Floyd stopped by. Recognizing him from his barista days at Starbucks on Decatur Square, Pascual offered to make Floyd his favorite drink, a 16-ounce hot mocha. Captured in the moment, the two spent time catching up, reminiscing about the small world that seems to catch up to us all.
The experience not only strikes at the heart of the power of customer engagement, but also to the significance of what it means to have a long-term presence in the local community. The personal connection and memorable shared experiences are priceless. In a metro area that sports more than 25 coffee companies—being able to offer something different, something memorable—which Opo Coffee clearly does, is what keeps people coming back.
“We operate under the tenets of experience, education and heart. Our core team has worked in coffee for a combined 40 years. We operate one of the only coffee training centers in the area, and are the only facility in the state that administers the Coffee Skills Program for the Specialty Coffee Association. We also are serious about being mission- and value-driven. Our mission is to use specialty coffee to make a positive impact in people’s lives throughout the world, and our core values are respect, positivity and honor.”
Taking its name from the Filipino word that translates to a formal, respectful “yes,” Opo Coffee essentially is three operations in one, all housed under one roof at its East Howard Avenue location. This includes a retail cafe, coffee roastery and one of the only coffee training centers in Georgia.
In the cafe, customers not only can get their favorite beverage, but also can use the WiFi, meet with friends, or hang out indoors or on the large outdoor courtyard patio. Opo’s 15-kg coffee roaster is in operation several times a week, roasting coffee for the cafe, other businesses and shipping bags to customers all across the country. In its Opo Training Lab, baristas can receive professional certificates from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), and coffee enthusiasts can take classes like Home Espresso or Latte Art Basics.
“Throughout all of our products and services, we seek to follow our core values. Our impact is with our employees just as much as it is with our customers. We also commit to donating 1% of all revenue to environmental efforts through 1% for the planet, primarily partnering with Plant With Purpose and its global reforestation efforts.”
Grounded in its integrity and uncompromising ethics, Opo Coffee actively partners with local organizations and businesses, which includes donating to places like Furnish With Love, which helps families transitioning from homelessness; providing on-site, low- or no-cost opportunities for emerging local food vendors; and promoting composting services with CompostNow on Earth Day.
“Like many coffee shops, our space has become a de facto community hub. The key is to keep trying out new and different coffee shops, coffee origins and brewing methods. Every presentation of coffee and everyone’s preferences differ, so it pays to continually experiment until you find out what you like and you don’t.”
